ChicaGo Dash
Encyclopedia
ChicaGo Dash is an express bus service between Chicago
and Valparaiso
. It is jointly run by the city of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, with substantial financial support from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. It was launched on October 6, 2008.
, stopping west of LaSalle Street Station
at Lakeside Bank and near the LaSalle Street
/ Wacker Drive
intersection.
The service is rush hour only – it makes two trips from Valparaiso to Chicago in the morning, at 6:00 am and 6:40 am (arriving at 7:31 am and 8:15 am). It returns from Chicago to Valparaiso at 4:40 pm and 5:25 pm (arriving at 6:20 pm and 7:15 pm). In May 2009, V-Line
introduced a shuttle service between Dune Park
South Shore Line
station and the Village Station later in the evening to supplement ChicaGo Dash and provide additional commuting options. It was scheduled to remain in place for the remainder of 2009. As of February 1, 2010, the shuttle service has been canceled. Instead, ChicaGo Dash monthly pass holders have been issued a $10.00 voucher. It can be used to take the South Shore Line train and/or taxi back home. The shuttle was eliminated due to low ridership.
In May 2009, ChicaGo Dash launched a special summer Saturday service. The bus left the Village Station at 10:00 AM and arrived at the Water Tower Place
at 12:05 pm making stops at the Millennium Park
and Navy Pier
. The bus left the Water Tower Place at 6:00 pm, arriving at the Village Station at 8:00 pm.
On August 17, 2009, ChicaGo Dash extended its Saturday service into the fall and added a second bus. Its schedule was designed to attract Valparaiso University students who may have been interested in going to the city in the evening. The new bus left the village station at 3:00 pm and returns in midnight, making the same stops as the other bus. The weekend route made a stop at Valparaiso University's Harre Union at 9:15 am and 2:15 pm before arriving at the Village Station. This section of the route was essentially a free shuttle service - once they reached the Village Station, passengers had half an hour to buy tickets to go the rest of the way. On the same date, ChicaGo Dash added a third bus to the weekday service. It left the Village Station at 7:15 AM, arriving at Millennium Park at 8:20 am. It left Chicago at 3:40 pm.
On November 12, 2009, ChicaGo Dash decided to cancel the second Saturday bus, citing low ridership. On December 27, 2009, Saturday service was canceled completely in spite of sharply increased ridership in the preceding weeks. The city may resume Saturday service during spring. The third weekday bus remains in place as of January 2010.
Valparaiso officials are currently considering adding a stop at Hobart
. During the Spring of 2010, Hobart officials conducted surveys of Hobart population to determine whether or not there is enough interest in the stop. The city of Hobart is currently in the process of finalizing the lease for the prospective stop, and a test run is currently slated to occur some time in October
ChicaGo Dash fare is $7.50. Riders can also buy 10-rides ($70.00) and monthly passes ($230.00). Tickets can be purchased at the Village Station or on the bus.
. The station is opens ten minutes prior to boarding and remains open until the bus leaves.
ChicaGo Dash riders can transfer to V-Line's Yellow Line route at Lincolnway and Campbell intersection less than a block north of the station building and to Brown Line route at Indiana/Campbell intersection south of the building near Northfolk Southern railroad tracks. Riders can also transfer to Red Line route Friday-Sunday at the same location as the Yellow Line route.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and Valparaiso
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
. It is jointly run by the city of Valparaiso and the Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission, with substantial financial support from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. It was launched on October 6, 2008.
History and Current Operations
ChicaGo Dash travels between Valparaiso's Village Station and Millennium ParkMillennium Park
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, USA and originally intended to celebrate the millennium. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a section of northwestern Grant Park. The area was previously...
, stopping west of LaSalle Street Station
LaSalle Street Station
LaSalle Street Station is a commuter rail terminal at 414 S. LaSalle Street in downtown Chicago, Illinois, serving Metra's Rock Island District. It was a major intercity rail terminal for the New York Central Railroad until 1968 and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad until 1978. The...
at Lakeside Bank and near the LaSalle Street
LaSalle Street
LaSalle Street is a major north-south street in Chicago named for Sieur de La Salle, an early explorer of Illinois. The portion that runs through the Loop is considered to be Chicago's financial district...
/ Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive
Wacker Drive is a major street in Chicago, Illinois, United States, running along the south side of the main branch and the east side of the south branch of the Chicago River...
intersection.
The service is rush hour only – it makes two trips from Valparaiso to Chicago in the morning, at 6:00 am and 6:40 am (arriving at 7:31 am and 8:15 am). It returns from Chicago to Valparaiso at 4:40 pm and 5:25 pm (arriving at 6:20 pm and 7:15 pm). In May 2009, V-Line
V-Line (bus)
The V-Line is the local bus operation in Valparaiso, Indiana. Service began on October 1, 2007 making Valparaiso one of the smallest cities in the United States to have its own independent public transit system.-Operations:...
introduced a shuttle service between Dune Park
Dune Park (NICTD)
Dune Park is a station in unincorporated Porter County, Indiana located north of the municipalities of Chesterton and Porter. It is used by South Shore Line trains, and serves as the headquarters of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District , the umbrella agency that operates the South...
South Shore Line
South Shore Line (NICTD)
The South Shore Line is an electrically powered interurban commuter rail line operated by the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District between Millennium Station in downtown Chicago and the South Bend Regional Airport in South Bend, Indiana...
station and the Village Station later in the evening to supplement ChicaGo Dash and provide additional commuting options. It was scheduled to remain in place for the remainder of 2009. As of February 1, 2010, the shuttle service has been canceled. Instead, ChicaGo Dash monthly pass holders have been issued a $10.00 voucher. It can be used to take the South Shore Line train and/or taxi back home. The shuttle was eliminated due to low ridership.
In May 2009, ChicaGo Dash launched a special summer Saturday service. The bus left the Village Station at 10:00 AM and arrived at the Water Tower Place
Water Tower Place
Water Tower Place is a large urban, mixed-use development comprising a shopping mall and 74 story skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The complex is located at 835 North Michigan Avenue, along the Magnificent Mile. It is named after the nearby Chicago Water Tower...
at 12:05 pm making stops at the Millennium Park
Millennium Park
Millennium Park is a public park located in the Loop community area of Chicago in Illinois, USA and originally intended to celebrate the millennium. It is a prominent civic center near the city's Lake Michigan shoreline that covers a section of northwestern Grant Park. The area was previously...
and Navy Pier
Navy Pier
Navy Pier is a long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million, equivalent to $ today. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and...
. The bus left the Water Tower Place at 6:00 pm, arriving at the Village Station at 8:00 pm.
On August 17, 2009, ChicaGo Dash extended its Saturday service into the fall and added a second bus. Its schedule was designed to attract Valparaiso University students who may have been interested in going to the city in the evening. The new bus left the village station at 3:00 pm and returns in midnight, making the same stops as the other bus. The weekend route made a stop at Valparaiso University's Harre Union at 9:15 am and 2:15 pm before arriving at the Village Station. This section of the route was essentially a free shuttle service - once they reached the Village Station, passengers had half an hour to buy tickets to go the rest of the way. On the same date, ChicaGo Dash added a third bus to the weekday service. It left the Village Station at 7:15 AM, arriving at Millennium Park at 8:20 am. It left Chicago at 3:40 pm.
On November 12, 2009, ChicaGo Dash decided to cancel the second Saturday bus, citing low ridership. On December 27, 2009, Saturday service was canceled completely in spite of sharply increased ridership in the preceding weeks. The city may resume Saturday service during spring. The third weekday bus remains in place as of January 2010.
Valparaiso officials are currently considering adding a stop at Hobart
Hobart, Indiana
Hobart is home to many thriving businesses in its downtown shopping district, including the historic Art Theatre.Hobart is also home to the Westfield Southlake Shopping Mall and many surrounding retailers and restaurants, although most businesses are required to list their addresses as Merrillville...
. During the Spring of 2010, Hobart officials conducted surveys of Hobart population to determine whether or not there is enough interest in the stop. The city of Hobart is currently in the process of finalizing the lease for the prospective stop, and a test run is currently slated to occur some time in October
ChicaGo Dash fare is $7.50. Riders can also buy 10-rides ($70.00) and monthly passes ($230.00). Tickets can be purchased at the Village Station or on the bus.
Valparaiso Village Station / Franklin House
Valparaiso Village Station serves as ChicaGo Dash's Valparaiso station. It is located in the previously unused northern portion of Franklin House pub building (58 South Campbell Street). The station includes a waiting room, a ticket counter and an automated teller machineAutomated teller machine
An automated teller machine or automatic teller machine, also known as a Cashpoint , cash machine or sometimes a hole in the wall in British English, is a computerised telecommunications device that provides the clients of a financial institution with access to financial transactions in a public...
. The station is opens ten minutes prior to boarding and remains open until the bus leaves.
ChicaGo Dash riders can transfer to V-Line's Yellow Line route at Lincolnway and Campbell intersection less than a block north of the station building and to Brown Line route at Indiana/Campbell intersection south of the building near Northfolk Southern railroad tracks. Riders can also transfer to Red Line route Friday-Sunday at the same location as the Yellow Line route.